Costa Receives Buddy Raines Award

The 2011 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, trainer Frank Costa, joins a distinguished roster of Raines Award recipients whose conduct has been exemplary for professionalism, integrity and service to Thoroughbred racing.

Costa, a native of Spilanga, Italy, has been a fixture on the New Jersey racing circuit.  An ex-jockey who won with his first mount in 1953 at Gulfstream Park, Costa was victorious with his first starter as a trainer at the Jersey Shore oval in 1972.

“Frank has been a longtime member of the New Jersey racing community,” said Bob Kulina, vice president and general manager of Monmouth Park. “His dedication to the sport and Monmouth Park undoubtedly makes him the perfect recipient of the Raines Award.”

In 2005, Costa conditioned New Jersey star Joey P. to victory in the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Handicap as well as a start in the Haskell Invitational.  In 2007, Costa won the John McSorley Stakes with Johns Pic and again in 2010 with General Perfect.

The late Buddy Raines, for whom the award is named, was one of racing’s most venerable figures and was a regular at Monmouth before his retirement. Raines trained horses for 65 years, and won the 1962 Preakness with Greek Money.

Lookin At Lucky, who electrified Monmouth Park with his victory in last season’s Haskell Invitational (G1) is this year’s inductee to the Monmouth Park Hall of Champions

The son of Smart Strike, owned by the partnership of Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, took a huge step toward the 3-year-old title with his Haskell victory, which followed his score in the Preakness Stakes. The bay colt was also 2-year-old champion of 2009.